Publication: The use of single wire earth return (SWER) as a potential solution to reduce the cost of rural electrification in Uganda
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Domestic use of energy conference
Abstract
The rural electrification in Uganda is facing an enormous challenge following the ongoing process of privatisation/liberalisation of the power sector. The Electricity Act enacted in November 1999 provides for more power utilities in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, ending a more than 40 years of monopoly of Uganda Electricity Board (UEB), a government parastatal. One of the consequences of this Act is that rural electrification pass to be responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. This ministry issued a document “Rural Electrification, Strategy and Plan”[1] whose overall objective is to increase electricity accessibility in the rural areas from the actual less than 1% to 10% within 10 years. It supposes to electrify 300,000 new rural households. This objective is meant to be achieved using gridextension, mini-grids and photovoltaic solar systems. This present paper considers the possibility of using SWER for grid-extension and mini-grids aiming at reducing costs. Technical and regulatory aspects are presented.
Description
Keywords
Single wire earth return, rural electrification, Uganda
Citation
Da Silva, I. P., Mugisha, P., Simonis, P., & Turyahikayo, G. (2001). The use of single wire earth return (SWER) as a potential solution to reduce the cost of rural electrification in Uganda. International conference, Towards sustainable energy solutions for the developing world (pp. 77–81). Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa: Domestic Use of Energy.